Chattanooga residents can enroll in a historic study in August about factors that could prevent cancer.

The study is called Cancer Prevention Study-3, or CPS-3. Hosted by the American Cancer Society, the study aims to enroll participants ages 30 to 65 who never have been diagnosed with cancer in a survey. Volunteers will be asked questions about their lifestyle, exercise, diet and heritage over a 25-year period.

A kickoff rally was held this week at Olivet Baptist Church. About 60 people showed up willing to sign up. In addition to those who are surveyed, there are Community Champions, who will work to enroll 10 participants each for the study.

"Almost everyone who signs up as a Community Champion also participates in the survey, said J.D. Frattini, the corporate systems director of the American Cancer Society.

"It was a call to action to get material to those that are interested," he said. "They first fill out a baseline survey, then they can expect a document in the mail every two to three years to update their medical history or other things in their life."

Established in 1952 under the name the Hammond-Horn Study, the survey works to engage a different generation and factors in cancer preventives.

The American Cancer Society is assessing data from some of the 1.2 million people who enrolled in CPS-2 in 1982, Frattini said. A CPS-4 is not yet on the radar, he said.

"We're all hopeful that this study will provide the answers to eliminate cancer," Frattini said.